Nyaruguru-The State Minister for Energy and Water, Colette Ruhamya, Wednesday, launched three potable water networks and 27 Ecosan toilets in Nyaruguru district, urging the community to protect the installations.

The water pipes which cost over Rwf3 billion are expected to serve over 87,000 people in the area. They were constructed by the Water and Sanitation project in the Southern Province, under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

According to the Ruhamya, residents should lead in protecting water infrastructures since they are the primary beneficiaries.

"If you do not guard these installations jealously, you will be the first to suffer from the consequences,” Ruhamya said.

The area residents once had   water infrastructure, but due to lack of maintenance and irresponsibility, the structures got destroyed.

"We used to have potable water, but pipes and all water networks were destroyed due to negligence. I cannot forget the 20 years that we have spent fetching water from far in hills,” said one resident from Rusenge sector.

Francois Habitegeko, Mayor of Nyaruguru, pledged to extend the water network to other sectors of the district.

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